In 2003, a study was published by a British Psychology professor named Richard Wiseman. For 10 years he conducted a study all about luck. He had 400 participants of all ages, demographics and socioeconomic status. Wiseman interviewed these volunteers, asked them to complete diaries, personality questionnaires, intelligence tests, and invited them to his laboratory to participate in experiments.
At the conclusion of the study he found that "lucky" people smile twice as often and engage in more eye contact than "unlucky" people. He noted that it was their ability to connect and maintain relationships that helped their luck increase. He also noted that "lucky" people tend to manifest their own luck through positive expectations leading to self-fulfilling prophecies. "Lucky" people also had a resilient attitude that helped them find the good in bad situations. They are also more observant to opportunities that come their way instead of having blinders on to the world around them.
In short, its our behavior, openness, and attitude that manifest luck.
Wiseman wrapped up his study by creating a "luck school". He had all participants institute the four principles of luck and apply them to their own lives. By the end of the study 80% of people reported being happier and more satisfied with their lives. The "lucky" got "luckier" and the "unlucky" were now "lucky".
What does that mean for us as educators? Those around us that always seem to "luck out" with the easy class, the best behaved students, the easiest time with lessons have gotten there through their work and resiliency.
People who notice and reinforce positive behaviors will have more positive behaviors occur in their classrooms. That isn't to say that they aren't correcting misbehavior, they just don't stop there.
Another key to being lucky is to finding the good in a bad situation. In the roughest day with the roughest class, was there one kid who smiled and did what you asked?
We hope that you are all "lucky", but if you feel that you are part of the "unlucky" crowd, please reach out to your Student Support Service coach. We would love to help you turn your luck around.
We are so lucky to have you.
